Having already landed the Derby and the Select, Team Holland are preparing for a raid on Perry Barr with runners in both the PGR St Leger and Michael Lambe Birmingham Cup – both of which close at 11am on Wednesday morning. But the star entry for the £20K Premier Greyhound Racing St Leger is the sport’s no.1 crowd pleaser Space Jet in what is expected to be her final event before retirement.
The 2021 Leger winner winner and course track record holder has already won the Regency and Select Stayers this year and should draw a crowd in her own right. The veteran heads a powerful team for Matt Dartnall along with Lively Lauren and Fifty Nine.
There are 25 Leger entries to date which include the impressive Summer Stayers runner-up Droopys Clue, the MWD trio Coonough Crow, Ballymac Taylor and Winetavern Magic. There is also a double entry from Graham Holland with Jacktavern Bella and Garfiney Blaze, while Liam Dowling has entered the impressive 750 yard winner from Shelbourne Park at the weekend, Ballymac Katie.
Late entries are likely to include the McNair trio and defending champ Havana Lover, plus the similarly prefixed Bale Out and Top Note.
The big name among the Birmingham Cup entries is Holland’s Irish Derby runner-up Bockos Crystal who will be accompanied by kennelmate Unreal Bruiser. Kerry’s Liam Dowling has entered Ballymac Rum.
The UK Brum Cup entry is headed by Space Jet’s kennelmate and defending champ, Ivanexile who is among the 29 entries to date including fellow finalists Goldies Perryman and Drive On Lad.
Last but not least, punters will be delighted to see the return of two hugely popular hounds. Churchfield Syd lost five months of racing before returning to run-up in the Gold Cup at Monmore. While the 2022 Laurels winner Signet Denver has not raced since breaking down in last December’s British Bred Derby Final at Sheffield.
As for the big name NOT on the list . . . . Tom Heilbron’s Links Maverick will be running on the night, but in the Lol Jones Memorial meeting back at Monmore, before taking a thoroughly deserved rest. There will be a few Birmingham Cup connections breathing a huge sigh of relief.
